Posted by katie on October 24, 1999, at 16:26:24
In reply to Re: Mixed states?questions?Neurontin?reply#2, posted by AMY II on October 22, 1999, at 17:57:32
> > > > > > All this is new to me and I am wondering if what Annie and I are dealing with is really bipolar? both of us have recently been told we have mixed state bipolar because we continue to have unremitting depression along with agitation/anxiety etc. Both of us are wondering if this is some kind of new trend? I can't find a lot on the above in print. And there is not an awful lot on neurontin.
> > >
> > > How would you describe the difference in how lithium and neurontin affect you? >
> > Katie, what is schizoaffective disorder?
> > > >
> *************I'm not sure if there is some new "trend" in diagnosis these days, but I know there are anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs out there. There must be some reason why your Dr. has chosen this route of treatment.As far as a difference between neurontin and lithium...hmm, I guess the neurontin is a little more sedating(I still take lithium in a minimal dose)The lithium is an excellent mood stabilizer...that is ...I'm neither too happy or too sad(crying spells,etc...)The neurontin seems to have mood stabilizing qualities as well. It does seem to put a little more of a "damper" on my mood. I'm not withdrawn or anything like that, but if I'm not keeping myself occupied in some activity, I become rather listless. It's real easy to become a "couch potato" on these types of medications. I have to make myself do something.
*********In response to "what is schizoaffective disorder"---I guess it's the medical profession's way of combining two mental illnesses into one term. I'm bi-polar AND have a mild form of schizophrenia. In order to cope with the two illnesses I take mood-stabilizers and a combo at night so that my mind won't get too wound up and stop me from sleeping. Here lately I haven't thought too much about the schizophrenia, because it hasn't been a problem. I was having more trouble w/ side effects of lithium. But I've been doing OK since doc changed some things for me.
I hope this answers some questions for you.
Keep in touch and thanks for the interest.
--------katie
poster:katie
thread:12671
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991016/msgs/13789.html